Intracarotid artery infusion of DTIC for invasive maxillofacial melanoma

Five inoperable invasive cases of malignant melanoma of the maxillofacial region were treated with seven intracarotid artery infusions of DTIC. Total doses of 3.5-9.5 g of DTIC were continuously administered for 15-25 days. Two of the five patients experienced transient objective regression after the first DTIC infusion but not after the second. Three patients were operated on after infusion and only one had recurrence. However, all patients died with disseminated disease within 3 years after DTIC infusion. Toxicity was encountered in two of seven infusions; it consisted in reversible leukopenia plus thrombopenia and leukopenia alone. These patients had received the highest doses, 9.5 g/25 days and 8 g/20 days respectively. It is concluded that intra-arterial infusion of DTIC can be temporarily effective in the polydisciplinary treatment of invasive head and neck melanomas.